Wedding Day!!

WARNING: this is a storybook of a post.  Though I think it is written well, it is long!  If you want the clifnotes of the day note this.  It was perfect.  Absolutly perfect.  There was a heatwave, a car accident on the freeway holding people up, and a little over the top guests.  With all of that and everything lovely, it was my favorite most perfect day.  I married the man of my dreams and was surrounded by everything I think is beautiful, and every face of those that we adore.  It was perfection. 

Ahh, where to start on this magical day...  Since I use this blog as a journal, I am going to go step by step as to not forget the simple things.  First major side note to make, the weekend of our wedding Los Angeles was enduring a record breaking heatwave.  And to break records in the summer, you are talking HOT, like 111-113 degrees hot.  Picking our venue was a no brianer for us because of its beauty, but because it was all outdoors, the heatwave presented an intense obstacle. 

An obstacle that ended up creating a good majority of our memories.  Another note to make is that though our venue was amazing, and offered endless beautiful views, it also included a lot of hidden twisty roads that made finding the actual location somewhat difficult.  All of that wrapped up in the fact that I was fighting a cold (which I was greeted with open arms when we arrived in Bora Bora- grrr).  With those side notes, let the remembering commence!

 

Rehearsal Day

Rehearsal day included all individuals included in the wedding and their families.  This meant there were about 50 in attendance.  As Nate and I were climbing out of the car into scorching 113 degree wedding I rested my leg on the outside of the car (for a SECOND) and ssssssssss…. Received a tattoo on the back of my right calf.  Layers and layers of skin burned and melted off of me resulting in a really deep and intense long burn.  I think the adrenaline of the rehearsal came over me and though my eyes were tearing up, I calmly walked the venue and carried on with the schedule as planned.  (three weeks later the burn is healing nicely and into what should be quite the scar.  I have always had a fascination with tattoos and I guess this is my way of tattooing my favorite day right on my body).   Walking in to see all of our family members and a few close close friends was such a joy.  There is something so amazing about being surrounded by all of your favorites.  Wayy better than Christmas.  We made introductions and waiting for a few last stragglers to make their way in.  Some of which were my parents who ended up getting lost in their drive and arrived 40 min late.  It would not have been too much of a problem except for the heat was melting each of us (especially the grandparents) so by the time they arrived it was speed through the walk through time.  As we were in the middle of the walk down through the ceremony site two of the grandparents started to really struggle, to the point that the heat forced them to be just about carried to shade to sit down and collect themselves.  All I can say, is thank goodness for rehearsals, because we came much better prepared for their needs on the day of the wedding. 

After the ceremony rehearsal we went to Calamigos Ranch (close by) for lunch and play time.  The restaurant was also all out doors and though they did a wonderful job setting up tables with personalized menus and umbrellas, the heat made it unbearable to sit through a meal.  Luckily they had a section by their bar loaded with tables that were all under misters.  The misters provided a decent 10 to 15 degree cooler environment and the restaurant was great at switching our location.  The meal and mingling was lovely, and it was such a relief to me to see everyone mingling so well.

Night Before

The rest of the evening was lovely.  The sun went down which means the temperature did too.  We checked into the Westlake Village Inn- our room and the hotel was lovely.  Leslie and Gabriela made arrangements to stay with me for the night (while Hannah fiercely baked our wedding cake at home and Karly helped with a lot of details).  Nate spent some time with his family alone while I went with my sisters to have my hair blown out for a portion of the eve.  I was so glad he had some alone time with his family since he had spent so much time with mine throughout the week.  After the hair was did the girls and I met up with this family for dinner and laughter by the pool.  In-between it all Nate and I were interviewed by our amazing videographers, which was so much fun and I CANT wait to see how it all turned out. 

After we all retired to our rooms I was given the sweet memory of acting a fool with my two baby sisters.  It was such a precious time that I will cherish forever.  Gabriela was in full effect and gave us non stop laughter all night with her crazy tone.  We eventually got ourselves to bed with smiles on our faces, ready for August 11th.

 

WEDDING DAY!

The morning of the wedding Nate and his groomsmen did some man work delivering some of our decor to the site, followed by lunch and getting ready.  From what I hear Wes was in full form from the moment he got there until the night went to sleep.  ohhh Wes!

 

As for us ladies, Leslie, Gabriela and I woke up super early and drove the the dome at the site to meet with the makeup/hair artists.  The sun was shining brightly into the windows, we changed into our comfy robes and proceeded to get beautified.  I was last to get ready so I was able to calmly watch everything outside and inside gear up for the day.  One by one the rest of the ladies started arriving so it was eventually all three moms, all four sisters and various vendors coming in and out.  Karly and her mom brought tons of snack foods so we just ate and laughed.  It was such a relaxing morning and day.  Then 1pm came around and it was the brides time to start getting ready.  The makeup artist and myself decided to get ready upstairs away from the commotion.  Each of my sisters took their turns visiting me while the videoagraphers contorted themselves into the shower and around corners to get the shots of my face being put on.  Then came the photographers.  As soon as they came the day started its whirlwind of blur for me.  Suddenly I was getting whisked away to put on my dress (of which all my bridesmaids helped.  They made me all feel so beautiful as they ooo'd and ahh'd me in my white beauty).  There was some bickering between the videoagraphers and photographers, which intensified the afternoon, but thankfully eventually dissipated.  I was also visited by my Aunt Flo (TMI?) the very second I ran out the door to take photos.  Yup! 

 

Then started the photos.  I walked down the stairs to a living room full of family all either on the verge of tears or with them already streaming down their face.  I had to make an announcement for everyone to keep calm so they didn't make me nervous by making the situation extremely grand.  Before you knew it I was in Michelle's (our head photographer) Tahoe and on the road to meet my fiance and have our first look.  I was so so nervous at this point I almost started getting dizzy.  The intensity of Nate seeing me as a bride was almost too much to wrap my mind around.  It was happening.  27 years of dreaming of THE moment... it was right now.  They took some of my bridals, and then went to get Nate.  Suddenly I was alone with Michelle and Adam and Jason (our videoagraphers) ready to pass out from anxiety.  I thought for sure if this was how my emotions were going to be all day I was going to be miserable and probably suffer a panic attack or two.  They made me close my eyes as Nate rounded the corner (and instructed him to do the same) and with nothing but darkness around me Nate and I started to talk to each other... then the reveal.  He walked over to me and the most magical part of my day happened.  He took my hands and my heart beat immediately slowed to a comfortable place, and all of the anxiety and intensity left and I was suddenly so calm and HAPPY.  It reconfirmed at the perfect time why Nate is the PERFECT part of my life.  When he is around me I feel strong and at peace, it is amazing. 

 

From this point forward we stood in the blazing 103 degree sun and took photos.  Photos photos and more photos.  With the family, with each other, you name it.  It was so freaking hot I about passed out.  I was sweating more than I ever have, Nate sweat straight through his suit coat to the point where we were both drenched and dripping.  After photos our wonderful family quickly rushed us up the the coolest room in the dome (the bathroom) where they had bowls of ice water, and wet cold rags and immediately started draping us with cold wetness so we could cool down.  Nate took off his coat to air himself off, we shut the door and had a moment to ourselves. 

 

During the next couple of hours before the set go time of 6pm we learned that there was a very large accident on the one highway to the venue resulting in traffic at a stand still for miles and miles.  What does this mean to us on our wedding day?  EVERYONE was late.  It took my poor father 4 hours to drive a regular 1 hour drive, the bishop was late, and guests started trickling in at around 6pm when the wedding was set to start. To say the least this resulted in a great deal of stress.  We quickly tried to recalculate everything to adjust to the news, maybe a cocktail hour before the ceremony instead of after?  Before we could start getting really nuts guests started to pile in.  All the key players arrived, and we were ready. 

 

One of my favorite parts of the evening was in the dome immediately before we started the walk down to the ceremony site.  All of the groomsmen, bridesmaids, parents, grandparents and flower girls (and of course bride and groom) were in the living room excited and anxious for the much waited event to start.  One of Nate's groomsmen is a ex pro football player so we decided it was time for a real life pep talk.  Zack took the moment and started yelling at us all in encouraging tones and we all put our hands in the middle and shouted something out.  It was so fantastic.  After that we were ready and started what ended up being my  most favorite moment of all times.

 

Walking down the aisle with my dad was so special to me.  At one point as we were walking past so many faces of people I ADORE and I looked into the smiling faces of dear friends I have not seen for ages that flew in, I looked at my dad and told him I was going to start to cry.  He squeezed my hand and walked me down to my husband to be.  Right before we started the walk down my dad very seriously told me he wanted to physically place my hand into Nate's.  It was so special to me to see the symbolism dad was feeling and how seriously he was taking handing his daughter over to another man to care for me.  He did just that and then gave Nate a large hug. 

 

Then the ceremony started.  Bishop Everitt did such a fantastic job.  We just loved having him as our officiant.  Nate and I wrote our own vows, and I am so happy we did.  It was so special to hear what Nate finds to be important promises to make, and for me to express my heartfelt wishes and promises to him.  Throughout the ceremony Nate and I held hands looking at each other.  He was fighting back tears the whole time and I would gently squeeze his hands and wink at him to keep him from falling apart. 

 

Before we knew it we were instructed to kiss.  It was lovely :).  We walked back down the aisle through thrown rose petals with "Today I Met the Boy I'm Gonna Marry" blaring in the background.  It was such a special time.  We were able to hug all of our wedding party after we left the ceremony site and Nate and I were then whisked away to take photos. 

 

From that point forward it was all a real blur.  I know there was amazing food (of which we didn't eat a bite), our live music was crooning through the air, and there were tons and tons of smiles everywhere.  Nate and I made our rounds saying hi to as many people as we could.  And we did all of the customary.  We had our first dance.  Danced with our parents (after my mom and dad took the floor for to dance the dance they had at their wedding 30 years to the day ago).  We cut and ate the AMAZING cake Hannah made for us (thank you Hannah, it was fantastic!).  We tossed our guarder and bouquet.  And perhaps the most special moment of the reception, we listed to the speeches. 

 

I loved our speeches.  My mom and dad started them with the most heartfelt speech led my my father.  He talked about how I was their first baby that they raised to have certain experiences and values.  And how everything they have ever done to help me grow, and every experience I have ever had all came together as he was walking me down the aisle.  He said he realized at that moment that they all led to Nate.  That this was very obvious to him that my life has to that point been in preparation to accept and find Nate.  It was so special.  John and Barbara followed with a funny speech from John.  He talked about how I had made a promise to him when I first started dating Nate that I would bring speed to the gene pool of strength they have already cultivated.  He said if I could produce that in our boys he and Barbara made a promise to fund all and any baseball activities in the grand children's life.  It was hilarious.  Hannah was next with a speech that made me tear up.  She talked about how she knew he was the one from a very early point.  And referenced Nate's dating trick of making a list of things to accomplish together, one of which being rock climbing.  And how as she thought of it, she realized what an amazing man Nate is and will be in my life since he in early stages set aside his comfort (fear of heights) to allow me to accomplish things I have always wanted to do.  I love my sister, and was so proud of her amazing speech.  Lastly (or though we though) was Matt.  Matt's speech was written on index cards and so clever.  He had a few stories of Nate and his quirks while in high school, it was so touching to see how much Nate means to him, and the memories they share.  Matt has been a fantastic friend and best man, we just love him!

 

Then... an impromptu speech.  Lead by Wes.  I will not go into details, but lets just say the poor  boy had one too many to drink and was a few dips too deep, and produced a speech that kept Nate's side on the edge of their seats to tackle him, and my side with tissues in their hand for the sincerity.  Wesley, you were kinda the star of the evening, and produced some of our most incredible memories. 

 

All in all, it was hands down the BEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE.  If I could I would replay and relive it every weekend.  Nate and I are so blessed to have experienced what was perfection to us and most of all go home with the best party favors EVER.  Each other.  :)

 

{Here are a few photos I stole off of facebook}